HTMS Chakri Nareubet
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
HTMS Chakri Nareubet  |
|
| Career |  |
|---|---|
| Ordered: | |
| Laid down: | 12 July 1994 |
| Launched: | 20 January 1996 |
| Commissioned: | 10 August 1997 |
| Decommissioned: | |
| Fate: | Commissioned |
| Struck: | |
| General Characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 10,000 tons standard 11,486 tons maximum |
| Length: | 182.6 m |
| Beam: | 21.9 m |
| Draught: | 6.2 m |
| Propulsion: | 2 diesels, 11,200 bhp 2 GE LM2500 gas turbines, 2 shafts, 44,250 hp |
| Speed: | 26.2 knots |
| Range: | Est. 10,000 nautical miles |
| Complement: | 455 ship 146 air group 675 troop transport |
| Armament: | 2 Mistral SAM launchers, 2 12.7 mm MG |
| Aircraft: | 6 AV-8S Harriers, 4 S-70B Seahawks |
| Motto: | Occupy The Sky, Occupy The Sea, Chakri Naruebet. (ครองเวหา ครองนที จักรีนฤเบศร) |
The Chakri Naruebet (Thai จักรีนฤเบศร) is Thailand's first and only aircraft carrier.
It is based on the Spanish carrier Principe de Asturias and was built in Ferrol, Spain, by Spanish shipbuilders Izar (EN Bazan) between 1994-1996. It was delivered to Thailand in 1997. The ship was largely inactive due to a shortage of funds after the Asian financial crisis. However the ship has participated in training, and in disaster relief after the 2004 tsunami. The carrier's main role is Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance and search and rescue.
It is the smallest serving aircraft carrier in the world.
Contents |
[edit] History
When typhoon Gay hit Thailand in 1989, the Royal Thai Navy, as the main unit responsible for search and rescue missions found that its ships and aircraft were unable to withstand the rough weather at sea. Moreover, the Royal Thai Navy needed a new, high-technology ship to modernize its fleet.
To achieve this goal, Royal Thai Navy selected Bazan, a Spanish company, to build a helicopter carrier with a budget of seven billion baht ($175 million).
The name "Chakri Nareubet" was given by King Bhumibol Adulyadej. It means "the sovereign of the Chakri Dynasty."
[edit] Mission
[edit] Peace Time
- Disaster relief.
- Search and rescue.
- Evacuation of Thai citizens.
- Environmental conservation.
[edit] Wartime
- Flagship of the fleet.
- Air defence missions.
- Surface defence missions.
- Anti-submarine warfare.
- Military operation support.
[edit] Trivia
- The 2006 Thai film, Nam Prig Lhong Rua, a comedy involving some bumbling Royal Thai Navy commandos, used the HTMS Chakri Nareubet to film some ceremonial scenes. The ship was also featured in the film Mercury Man.
- Because the ship has seen little time at sea, it is viewed as a white elephant, which makes the Royal Thai Navy's ensign, featuring a white elephant ironic.
[edit] Gallery
 Setting in dock. |
 AV-8S |
 S-70B |
